Justin Morneau To Retire, Join Twins Front Office

I have two great memories: this game: http://www.fangraphs.com/wins.aspx?date=2003-06-22&team=Twins&dh=0

 

It was his first year in the bigs, playing in Milwaukee, came in as a pinch hitter and put one about 500 feet into the scoreboard in center field. Lots of Twins fans there, outdoor game on a gorgeous day and we were going rowdy.

 

The other was the two run bomb he hit off Zumaya in Detroit in 2006 (this game: http://www.fangraphs.com/wins.aspx?date=2006-08-09&team=Twins&dh=0). That seemed like the key moment of that pennant chase and Twins never looked back. Remember watching that in a packed bar in Uptown, high fiving random strangers.

Your 2nd one was exactly what I was going to say!  That was a statement bomb for sure.  In a similar fashion to T Hunt taking out a Sox catcher in 2004.  http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1847744  Morneau was a fantastic ball player.  Very unfortunate he suffered that concussion.  Great addition to have him back in the organization. 

I have two great memories: this game: http://www.fangraphs.com/wins.aspx?date=2003-06-22&team=Twins&dh=0

 

It was his first year in the bigs, playing in Milwaukee, came in as a pinch hitter and put one about 500 feet into the scoreboard in center field. Lots of Twins fans there, outdoor game on a gorgeous day and we were going rowdy.

 

The other was the two run bomb he hit off Zumaya in Detroit in 2006 (this game: http://www.fangraphs.com/wins.aspx?date=2006-08-09&team=Twins&dh=0). That seemed like the key moment of that pennant chase and Twins never looked back. Remember watching that in a packed bar in Uptown, high fiving random strangers.

Me three. That was a great moment. Wish I could find the speed of that pitch, but Zumaya was well known to hit triple digits and Justin just crushed it.

Lots of other great moments for this unusually gifted athlete, but that was the one that came instantly to mind.

First pitch, too. Ha!

My favorite memory was when he pumped iron with bears.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBjWETNkgpU 

But in all seriousness.    My favorite Twin.    Ever.    One can only ask what might have been with him.

Many, many fond memories of Morneau. terrific player. Prototypical 1B slugger who went from being a little scary defensively at 1B to someone you had confidence in. It's a shame the concussions wiped out some peak years when he was really rolling and he didn't get to play in the postseason in 2009 or 2010. Maybe he would have been a difference-maker.

One that I'll never forget: 2006 ALDS Game 2 at the old Metrodome. Friend from school stops me in the hall and says, "hey, I got tickets, wanna go?" And we're off. Cheap seats out in the outfield, and it's great. Bottom 6, Twins are down 2-0 when Cuddyer rips a HR and the whole place goes nuts. Just barely over the din I scream to my buddy, "just watch, Morneau's going back-to-back" (I was caught up in the moment, not like I really believed it or anything just wanted it so bad!). And then Justin Morneau launches one into the seats to tie the game and it's bedlam. It's the loudest I've ever heard anything. It was painful. It was great.

What a homer. 

congrats on retirement, Justin. Glad the club is keeping you in the fold.

I'm betting he could still play, so he should be a fresh perspective in the clubhouse. It seems like "special assistants" are mostly only around during spring training, though.

Sad that he's done, but happy he's back with the team even if it's not by playing. My favorite memories are June and on in 2006. Santana and Mauer were doing great, but I don't think the Twins make the playoffs if Morneau didn't flip the switch.

Just the way he always looked so READY TO HIT every time he came to the plate.

Good for him. One of my very favorite Twins of all time.

I played a round of golf with him in one of the Twins Charity Golf tourneys.  It was a blast. 

Three homer game in game two of a doubleheader vs White Sox on 7-6-07.

I remember I called a 9 th inning lead off walk off homerun. Don’t recall what board that was or exactly when.

I have two great memories: this game: http://www.fangraphs.com/wins.aspx?date=2003-06-22&team=Twins&dh=0

 

It was his first year in the bigs, playing in Milwaukee, came in as a pinch hitter and put one about 500 feet into the scoreboard in center field. Lots of Twins fans there, outdoor game on a gorgeous day and we were going rowdy.

 

The other was the two run bomb he hit off Zumaya in Detroit in 2006 (this game: http://www.fangraphs.com/wins.aspx?date=2006-08-09&team=Twins&dh=0). That seemed like the key moment of that pennant chase and Twins never looked back. Remember watching that in a packed bar in Uptown, high fiving random strangers.

I was one of the "lots of Twins fans there too." I remember it as one of those "center fielder didn't even turn around" shots.

The bomb that stuck in the scoreboard in Milwaukee was one of the great "I'm Here!" moments that I'll never forget.

Three homer game in game two of a doubleheader vs White Sox on 7-6-07.

That was the first 3 homer game for a Twin in decades.  I remember we won the first game in a total blow out.  Game 2 featured the 3HR from Justin, and I believe a near cycle from Jacque.  But the most memorable part of the game for me was Jim Thome knocking Mike Redmond out cold with his vicious follow through in the first inning.  Gardy had DH'd Mauer for the nightcap, and the Twins forfeited the DH for the rest of the game.  Garza got a couple at bats and even laid down a sac bunt!  1 of 3 3HR games I've witnessed in person.  1, Dave Winfield in the Dome with the Angels. (also doubled off the plexiglass) 2. Justin.  3. Jose Bautista (went to left, center, and oppo).

The 2006 home run in game 2 of the playoffs....I was there. Will never forget it. How the crowd energy could be felt..and the HR off of Zuyma. I seem to recall that Hunter and Cuddyer struck out b4 Morneau hit.

Great guy and so soft spoken.

Here's from yesterday and welcome back Justin!

https://www.mlb.com/twins/news/twins-star-justin-morneau-officially-retires/c-264851500

And now Kitty Kaat too.

And now Kitty Kaat too.

Hopefully, he will teach the pitchers of this era how to field their position, as they don't even try anymore.

Which pitchers don’t try anymore? I always thought that Twins pitchers did a pretty good job of that, better than most, especially Gibson. He’s a pretty good fielding pitcher. But yeah, Kaat was great at that.

None.... and I mean none, finish the pitch/windup and come into a fielding position. None. Including Gibson. That was what made Jim Kaat notable.